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Toni Preckwinkle had a message to deliver to students and audience members gathered in Benedictine University's Goodwin Hall Auditorium.
If you want government to solve some of society's biggest issues, you need to step into the ring.
"Solutions to our nation's most challenging social problems are not going to come from Washington or Springfield alone," said the Cook County Board president. "Every level of government, every sector, every community has to be engaged. That means you can and you must define what public service means to you.
"For as much as government can and must do, it depends on the determination and persistence of individual citizens," she added. "Casting your vote is your first obligation as a citizen. That's necessary, but not sufficient. If you want to have good leaders, you've got to work to make it happen."
A dedicated community leader for more than two decades, Preckwinkle has worked to implement major reforms reshaping county government through fiscal responsibility, innovative leadership, improved services, transparency and accountability.
She was invited to speak at Benedictine by the university's nonpartisan, nonprofit Center for Civic Leadership, which seeks to bring dynamic speakers to campus so students and the larger community can fully engross themselves in multiple issues and topics of public concern.
"I was glad to learn about the CCL because it provides you with an opportunity that not many people receive to study and engage at the highest levels at an institution that ascribes not only to...